Minutiae, in fingerprinting terms, are the points of interest in a fingerprint, such as bifurcations (a ridge splitting into two) and ridge endings. Examples are:
ridge endings - a ridge that ends abruptly
ridge bifurcation - a single ridge that divides into two ridges
short ridges, island or independent ridge - a ridge that commences, travels a short distance and then ends
ridge enclosures - a single ridge that bifurcates and reunites shortly afterward to continue as a single ridge
spur - a bifurcation with a short ridge branching off a longer ridge
crossover or bridge - a short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges
Minutiae also refers to any small or otherwise incidental detail.
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